Life-sized animal puppets to stampede across London

Exciting news! Life-sized animal puppets are set to make their way to London next month. These incredible puppets have already traveled through various countries in Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, and Morocco. The collection of puppets features magnificent creatures such as elephants, apes, and antelopes. In Dakar, Senegal, people were seen posing with these stunning cardboard animal puppets, showcasing their vibrant culture. The puppets are on a journey northward, with their final destination being the Arctic Circle in July. Sixteen individuals dressed in black will accompany the puppets as they traverse the Congo Basin, bringing attention to the pressing issue of climate change. A large group of people followed a puppet resembling an animal with winding horns in Marrakech, demonstrating the excitement surrounding this unique art project. The puppets will travel through Europe before arriving in the UK next month, where they will be showcased in various locations. In Marrakesh, a puppet resembling a zebra was spotted near a body of water, with two men assisting in holding it up. The new artwork is expected to arrive in London at the end of June, where it will be featured in several events. A large puppet with winding horns was also seen on stage in Lagos, surrounded by performers and a captivated audience. These life-sized animal puppets have been making their way through cities across Africa, and their arrival in London is highly anticipated. The public artwork aims to highlight the animals' migration northward as they 'flee the climate disaster,' according to The Walk Productions, the organization behind this large-scale art initiative. The HERDS will be in London from June 27 to June 29, visiting notable locations such as The Scoop, Soho, Somerset House, Coram's Fields, Camden High Street, and Stratford. The journey began on April 9 in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and since then, the puppets have traveled through cities like Lagos, Dakar, Marrakesh, Casablanca, and Rabat, engaging with local musicians, artists, dancers, and climate activists along the way. The HERDS project is collaborating with global climate organizations, including WWF, the United Nations Environment Programme, and Save the Elephants. In Lagos, a large puppet elephant and ape were seen being transported on a small boat on the Makoko River, with several people on board supporting the animals. One man was at the front of the boat, using a stick to navigate the water. The puppets are crafted from upcycled and recyclable materials, primarily cardboard and plywood, with a strong emphasis on biodegradable and organic materials. As the puppets continue their journey, they will grow in number and species, including elephants, giraffes, antelopes, and lions. They will travel through Europe, making stops in cities like Madrid, Marseille, Venice, and Paris, before arriving in the UK. The HERDS stampede will feature performances, theatrical readings, and music along the way, with a fun hunt planned to take place on Camden High Street. After their time in London, the puppets will continue their journey north to Greater Manchester and then travel through Scandinavia to the Arctic Circle. Amir Nizar Zuabi, the artistic director, expressed, 'THE HERDS is an urgent artistic response to the climate crisis, a living, breathing call to action that stampedes across continents. Through the beauty and ferocity of these life-size creatures, we aim to spark dialogue, provoke thought, encourage engagement, and inspire real change.